Rudell Stitch
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rudell Stitch (January 26, 1933 - June 5, 1960), was a professional boxer who was once ranked as the #2 welterweight contender in the world. He was born in Louisville, Kentucky.
As an amateur, he won 45 fights and won Kentucky state titles as a lightweight and as a welterweight. He won Kentucky state titles in 1951, 1952, 1953, 1955, and 1956. He turned professional in 1956.
On August 27, 1958, Stitch defeated welterweight contender Isaac Logart by a ten round decision. It was his first big win as a professional. Two months later, Logart avenged the defeat with a decision victory against Stitch.
In September of 1958, Stitch saved a man from drowning in the Ohio River. For his action, Stitch received a medal from the Carnegie Hero Fund.
In November of 1958, Stitch decisioned Yama Bahama, a vetern boxer with more than 50 wins who had defeated the great Kid Gavilan earlier that year. Stitch closed out 1958 with a decision win against welterweight contender Chico Vejar.
He started 1959 with a fight against welterweight contender Gasper Ortega. In the third round, there was an accidental clash of heads. Stitch wasn't hurt, but Ortega was staggering around, and Stitch backed away and let Ortega's head clear. Stitch didn't believe in taking advantage of an opponent in such a situation. Ortega went on to win by decision, but Stitch's sportsmanship showed what type of person he was. Three months later, they had a rematch and Stitch won by decision.
In August of 1959, Stitch lost by decision to future world welterweight champion Luis Manuel Rodriguez. Two months later, Stitch decisioned future world junior middleweight champion Ralph Dupas. Stitch closed out 1959 with a decision win against Holly Mims, a veteran boxer with 47 wins.
In March of 1960, Stitch defeated Randy Sandy by decision. The previous year, Sandy had defeated future great Emile Griffith. In The spring of 1960, Stitch traveled to Australia for a rematch with Ralph Dupas, which Dupas won by decision. Hawaii was the location of Stitch's next fight, which occurred on May 24, 1960. In Honolulu, Stitch defeated Stan Harrington, who later defeated Sugar Ray Robinson twice. It was Stitch's last fight.
On June 5, 1960, Stitch went fishing with Bud Bruner, his trainer and manager, and Charles Oliver, a friend. Oliver slipped off a ledge and fell into the Ohio River. He grabbed Stitch and pulled Stitch in with him. Stitch was swimming back to shore, but he heard Oliver yelling, and he went back to get him. Oliver grabbed onto Stitch, and they both went under. They both drowned. For his tremendous sacrifice, Stitch posthumously received another medal from the Carnegie Hero Fund. Only three other people have received two Carnegie Hero Fund medals. The year after Stitch's death, the National Boxing Association presented his family with the first annual Rudell Stitch Sportsmanship Award. Stitch left behind a wife, a daughter, and five sons. He was only 27.
